Game



June 3, 1941. R. R. MacKl NNON GAME Filed Aug. 3, 1940 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented June 3, 1941 GAIVIE Robert R. MacKinnon, Clmlcago, Ill.

Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,847

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel game, the primary aim in thedesign of which has been to afford a game in which skill and superiorintelligence, as distinguished from mere chance, play a predominatingroll in determining the winner, but which may, nevertheless, be playedunder sufiiciently simple rules and procedural requirements as to affordenjoyment to children as well as to adults and which is alsosufficiently flexible as to permit playing of it by a variable number ofplayers.

The presently disclosed game is of what may be termed a"combination-matching type in that the players pitted against each otherattempt to guess which of a limited number of combinations an opponenthas selected. The correct and incorrect guesses are, in efiect,totalized by moving a game piece or pieces across a progression board inaccordance with a fixed set of awards and penalties based on the numberof correct and incorrect guesses. Incidentally, the word combination isused herein in the broad sense ordinarily employed in common parlance asincluding what are, in a strict mathematical sense, both combinationsand permutations, except in those few instances herein where a truemathematical combination is designated as such. By selection of acombination I mean the selection or designation of desired indicia,numerals or the like from a predetermined series of them to constitutethe combination. For example, in the particular embodiment of theinvention herein shown, an electric signal circuit is employed with fournumbered terminals presented to each player and he can select anydesired pair of these terminals as his combination, the act of selectionbeing accomplished by connecting the desired pair of terminals into asignal circuit, this connection remaining hidden, however, from theopponents. The opponent or opponents then attempt to match or decodethis combination on their correspondingly numbered set of terminals byplugging a jumper across what they believe to be the same pair ofterminals that were selected by the first player, and if they are rightthe signal circuit is set up, but if they are wrong it remainsuncompleted. Obviously, other forms of hidden combination devices may beemployed for each player, though the electrical system noted has anumber of outstanding advantages and novel features including interestaroused by more or less spectacular visual or audible signalling whenthe signal circuit is successfully completed by a decoder, and the factthat the circuits established constitute an unimpeachable record of theselected combination so as to avoid arguments and cheating.

Bearing in mind the general character of the game contemplated, itshould be understood that a more specific object of the invention is topro vide such a game in which a game piece or pieces are moved across aprogression board in accordance with certain awards and penaltiesdetermined by the success or failure of each player in outwitting theothers as to what combinations he selects, but in which a crucialelement of skill is introduced by correlating the rewards with theavailable combinations so that the visible position of the game piece onthe board (and hence an indication of the award needed to move it to adesirable point on the board) affords clews as to the combination whichwill normally be selected.

Another object is to provide a game of the general type indicated inwhich a plurality of individual game pieces are provided, at least onefor each player, for movement across a progression board, together withselection means for each player, normally hidden from the view of theothers, and the correct or incorrect matching of which determines theawards and penalties on the basis of which the game pieces aresuccessively advanced.

Another object is to provide a game of the type indicated above in whicha game piece or pieces are advanced on the basis of awards or penaltiespredicated on the matching, by the opposing player or players, of thecombination set up by successive ones of the players, and which may beplayed by a variable" number of two or more players, but in which thenumber of combinations available to any one player are not more thanapproximately three times the minimum number of players required and notless than substantially one and one-half times the maximum number. ofplayers for whom provision is made in the game layout so that a fairbalance is always maintained between the opportunities of the coder anddecoders no matter how many are playing.

Another object is to provide in a game of the character indicated aselectively operable combination means in which desired ones of a seriesof combinations can be setup but in which the efiect will automaticallybe the same, irrespective of what one of the available permutations ofeach true mathematical combination the player makes.

Still another object is to provide a combination-matching type gameembodying an electrical signaling circuit which can be preliminarilyconditioned by one player in such manner that the establishment of onlya particular selected one of a plurality of connections available to theopponent or opponents will serve for completion of the signalingcircuit.

A further object is to provide a combinationmatching type game in whicha simple and economical electrical matching-network is provided forinterconnecting various player stations.

The invention also resides in various structural improvements andarrangements of the parts by virtue of which complete portability and ahigh degree of compactness are achieved, as well as low cost ofmanufacture.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a game embodying the invention, the screensor hoods at twoof the player stations being shown in'horizontal sectionto expose the interiorly located parts.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the game layout in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the game board included in Fig. 1.

' Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 4 4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 5-5 in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of theelectrical circuit for the game.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will hereindescribe in detail, the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understoodthat'I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific formdisclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternativeconstructions fallin'g'within the spirit and 'scope of the inventionasexpressed in the appended claims.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention herein shown (see Fig. 1')the illustrated game comprises a progression board I!) which may beofany desired layout. In the present case 7 a series of panels orrectangles II and I2 along two edges of the board indicate thesuccessive stations or steps through which game pieces It are moved. Thegame pieces start from the panel marked start and are advanced to thefinal panel I6 marked finish. At the corner of the board, intermediatethe two rows of station panels II, I2;are three additional spaces orpanels I1, I8 and IS, the center one of which is a safety doublestation.

In brief, 'a certain number of game pieces M, two in the presentinstance, are provided for each player and the pieces are advanced stepby step to the successive panels II, II, I8, I9 and I2, in the orderindicatedffrom the start station to the finish point, the object of thegame for each player being to get all of his game pieces around to thefinish point before his opponents succeedin doing so. The advancesof thegame pieces are made in accordance with a system of awards and penaltiesbased on the manipulation of a novel combination selection and matchingapparatus described below.

Ihe necessary iridicia'for the progression board Iii may be lithographedor otherwise applied to the bottom surfaces offtwo shallow box sectionsI ll and Ill hinged together at ZIJ. As best shown in Fig. 3 (seeelsoFig. 2) each of the box sections m III includes a rectangular borderframe 2| with a fiat wooden or cardboard panel 22 fixed on one face ofthe frame. When these hinged sections Ill Ill are swung open they can beplaced face down on a table with the playing surface on their bottompanels 22 iacing upward as shown in Fig. 1, thelayout' of stations beingformed by the indicia applied ,to the exposed bottom faces of thesepanels.

At four stations A, B, C and D, about the board I0, provision is madefor a corresponding number of players (Fig. 1). It should be noted here,however, that the layout shown can be used just as well by two or threeplayers rather than four and that the layout can be changed to providestations for an even greater number of players if desired. At each ofthese stations is a simple collapsible cardboard hood or shield 23,which screens from the view, of all but the player at that particularstation, his combination selection and matching apparatus. These hoods23 have been shown as provided with top rear and end walls made ofcardboard and these wall sections may be suitably hinged so that whennot in use the hoods can be collapsed into fiat form for compactstorage.

Within each of the hoods 23 is a coder block or combination selectionand matching device 24, herein shown as comprising rectangular terminalboards 25 of insulating material, each of them having four terminals 26on it in the form of plug receptacles or jacks. As best shown in Fig. 5,each or" these terminals 2% includes a metal sleeve 25 with a closedlower end fixed in a threaded bushing 25 These bushings have enlargedheads and are fixed to the terminal board 25 by loch nuts 2th Theterminal boards themselves are supported on rectangular border frames2?, which are high enough to provide ample clearance for the lower endsof the terminals. On the face of each of the terminal boards 25 areindicia, herein shown in the form of numerals I to t, for identifyingthe several terminals (see Fig. 1).

For purposes of combination selection each of the coder blocks 2 alsoincludes a pair of plugs 28, 28 on the ends of flexible leads 29projecting from the terminal board 25. When the coder sets up acombination he has only to insert the plugs 28, 23 into the desired pairof terminals 26. For example, if he wishes to select the combinationI-3, he can insert the plug 28 in the'terminal I and the plug 23* in theterminal 3. Similarly, for purposes of combination matching, each of thecoder blocks 24 is provided with a loose wire jumper Bilhaving plugsfii,3F on its ends. In attempting to match a combination, the opponent ordecoder inserts the plugs 35, 3? into the terminals he selects so as tobridge the same, as for example, between the terminals numbered ii and Iat station 13 (Fig. 1).

It will be observed, upon referenceto Fig. 1, hat at stations A and Bthelayout of the terminals is different on each of the two terminal boards25 shown, and the same holds true at the other stations C and D. Inother words, at station A terminals I and 2 appear in the top row, while3 and d are in the bottom row. On the other hand, at station E terminals2 and 4 V are in the top row, while terminals 3 and I are .in the bottomrow. This different order is used at each station so that players cannotgain an unfair advantage by observing the position or" an opponentshands when he inserts the plugs 28, 28 in setting up a combination.While on the subject of the terminals, it should also be noted thatparticular significance attaches to the fact that four terminals areprovided on each coding block in the present game layout. With fourterminals, six combinations are available, namely, I 2, i,3,' I i, 23,2, 3 l. On the other hand, provision is made in this layout for amaximum of four players, and

a minimum of two players is required. Consequently, the number ofpossible combinations is one and one-half times the maximum number ofplayers and three times the minimum number, or six. This is a rathercritical relation since, by so coordinating the number of combinationswith the two limit numbers of players possible in the layout, a fairbalance of opportunity is maintained between the coder and the opposingdecoder or decoders.

During play each of the players acts in turn as a coder or, in otherwords, sets up a combination with his plugs 28, 28 on the coder block 24at his station. Then the opponents or decoders at the other stationsattempt successively to match this, to them unknown, combination byplugging in their jumpers 38 across what they believe to be theterminals of the selected combination. After each of the decoders hasplugged in his jumper 36, he depresses a push button switch 32 on theplaying board (Fig. 1). In the event that the decoder has successfullymatched the combination, closure of the switch 32 will connect batteries33 (see Figs. 3 and 6) to a signal device, herein shown as a lamp 34, sothat the latter is lighted, indicating the successful decoding. In theevent that the lamp remains unlighted when the switch 32 is closed,however, it shows that the attempted matching of the combination wasunsuccessful. The mental tension built up in the course of thisprocedure, and the sudden burst of excitement touched oif by theflashing on of the signal lamp, add materially to the fascination of thegame.

The electrical network which interconnects the parts described to effectoperation of the signal lamp 3t in the manner set forth is characterizedparticularly by its simplicity. Upon reference to the wiring diagram inFig. 6, it will be seen. that each of the correspondingly numberedterminals l, 2, 3 and i are interconnected respectively by conductors33, 3t, 35 and 38. In the actual game board these conductors are seatedin grooves 31 (see Figs. 3 and 4) formed in wooden strips 33 fixedwithin the box sections Ili lil in the manner of a cross. At each of thestations A, B, C and D the leads $3 to 36 emerge in the form of aflexible cable 39 (see Figs. 1 and 3). Also included in these cables,and seated in others of the grooves 31, are leads 40 and 4! connectedrespectively to the selection plugs 28 and 28 at the various stations.

The lamp 34 battery 33 and push button switch 32, all connected in aseries subcircuit with free or end terminals th M to which therespective leads 50, l! are connected. Consequently, when one of thepairs of plugs 28, 28 is plugged into two of the terminals l to 4 in itscorresponding set, these coder block terminals are connected to theterminals Mi di of the signal subcircuit noted through correspondingportions of the leads All, 4!. Then if one of the jumpers 3B isconnected across any of the correspondingly numbered pairs of terminalsI to 6 on another of the coder blocks, the complete loop for the signalcircuit will be set up or, in other Words, the leads 43, M will beconnected together by the jumper 38 so that a circuit between the lampand battery can be completed by simply closing the switch 32. Especiallyto be noted in connection with this arrangement is the fact that theparticular permutation selected by plugging in one of the jumpers 30 isof no consequence. In other words, if the decoder guesses correctly thatthe combination which he must match is l2 it does not make anydifference whether, of the two available permutations, he picks l2 or2l. The effect on the circuits will, in either case, be the same.

Though various sets of rules may, of course, be agreed upon by theplayers in using the game apparatus described above, the following maybe considered as exemplary for purposes of complete understanding of onepossible mode of playing the game:

1. Start-The various players may throw dice or otherwise select bychance the player who is first to act as a coder.

2. Coding.The player selected to act first as a coder, as for examplethe player at station A in Fig. 1, inserts the plugs 28, 28 in two ofhis coder block terminals I to 4 to designate the combination which heselects. The coder must then remove his hands from the screen or hood 23so that his opponents can be assured that he will not thereafter changethe combination set up.

3. Decoding.-Each opponent in turn, proceeding clockwise about theboard, attempts to decode or match the combination selected by thecoder. For this purpose each of the opponents plugs in his jumper 35across what he believes to be the selected combination, removes hishands from his hood 23 and presses the push button 32. If the lamp 3tlights, it indicates that he has been successful in his decoding and, ofcourse, if it fails to light, it shows that he has been unsuccessful.

4. Coder awards-After each decoder has had his turn, if they have allfailed to light the signal lamp 34, then the coder announces his numbercombination, which is tested for accuracy by the player to his left. Thecoder then takes his award on the basis of the tabulation printed on thegame board In (see Fig. 1). Thus, for combinations I2, l3, li he ispermitted to advance one of his game pieces M one step. If hiscombination was 23, he can make an advance of 2; if it was 2l, he canmake an advance of 3 and if it was 3@ he can make an advance of 4. Eachplayer has two game pieces M, the latter being individually colored andthe colors in each case correspond to identifying color panels 42 on thevarious hoods 23, so as to correlate the game pieces with the players atthe various stations. An advance award cannot be split between two gamepieces of the same player when they are moving out of the "startrectangle i5, but may be split between two pieces of the same playerafter they have left the start rectangle.

5. Decoder awards-The award for a successful decoder is a four-paneladvance up to and including the safety double panel lfiand a threepaneladvance for either piece ahead of this point. Advances maybe made by asuccessful decoder only when his fame piece or pieces are in a positionto take advantage of the full award. When only a portion of the awardcan be used because of a blockade or in finishing, no advance can bemade.

6. PenaZties.A coder must move one game piece back one panel for eachinstance in which an opponent succeeds in decoding his combination.Penalty moves can be split between two game pieces. If the penaltycarries one or both pieces back farther than the start panel l5, and thetotal penalty cannot be used, no penalty is assessed. No penalty isgiven to an unsuccessful decoder.

'7. BZoclcades.With four players a blockade is formed by (a) two piecesof one color and one of another color onany of the panels H, i2, H orH), or, (b) any four pieces on any of the panels H, l2, ll or 19. Withthree players a blockade is formed by any three pieces of one of thepanels 5!, I2, I? or It. With two players a blockade is formed by twopieces of one color on any of the panels H, l2, H or E9. No advance maybe made onto a panel where a blockade exists or through a panel where ablockade exists. A backward penalty move may, however, end on or gothrough a panel where a blockade exists. There can be no blockade on thesafety double panel it.

8. Safety d0ubZc.Both the awards and penalties are doubled when one orboth of the players game pieces are on the safety double panel. Forexample, an award of three becomes six from this point, a penalty of onebecomes two, etc. With both pieces on this panel, double awards orpenalties may be split. There is no blockade on the safety double.

9. Order of play-After the opponents have attempted in succession todecode the combination set up by the first coder, the next player on hisleft becomes the coder and the cycle of play is repeated. Thus, eachplayer in turn becomes a coder.

' 10. Winner.-The first player who succeeds in advancing both of hisgame pieces into the finish panel H3 is the winner.

The general procedure in playing the game will be apparent from theforegoing. Particularly to be noted in this connection is the primeelement deceive his opponents by choosing a combination affording alarger award and splitting it between his two game pieces. Or, in anextreme case, he may pick a combination which he knows he cannot useduring that round just to confuse his opponents by the daring of hisplay. A study of the layout will show that there are many other trickysituations which will arise in View of blockades, game pieces on thesafety double panel,

etc., all of which afford possible clews as to the combination which acoder will select, thus making it possible for his opponents to outwithim. Despite these stimulating intricacies which are available to reallyskillful players, the apparatus to be manipulated is so simple that evena child can use it with pleasure and the competitive effect of theadvancing game pieces, the flashing signal light, etc., all stimulateinterest and enjoyment for even the unskilled.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a game of the type (escribed, the combination of anelectrical'signaling device, a plu rality of coder blocks with like setsof terminals on each, one such coder block for each of a correspondingnumber of players, means operable by a player at any one of said coderblocks for establishing any selected. one of a predetermined series ofsupply circuits from a source of current to said signaling device butwith an interruption in each circuit so established between a selectedpair of terminals on his coder block, and means operable by a player atanother coder block. for

of skill introduced in the game by the correlation bridging theinterruption in any one of said circuits, the last mentioned meansincluding interconnections between corresponding terminals on theseveral coder blocks and a jumper for interconnecting any desired pairof terminals on the last mentioned players coder block, whereby theinterruption in the circuit established by the first mentioned player issuccessfully bridged by the second mentioned player if the latterconnects hisjumper across the pair of terminals on his coder blockcorresponding to the pair on the first mentioned players coder blockbetween which the interruption existed.

2. In a plural player game of the type described, the combination of a.plurality of coder blocks, one for each player, each coder block havingon it an equal number of plug receptacles with'like identifying indiciafor the various receptacles on each block, an electrical signalingdevice, means including a pair of flexible leads extending to each ofthe coder blocks and having plugs thereon insertable into any selectedpair of receptacles on its corresponding coder block for preliminarilyestablishing a supply circuit from a source of current to the signalingdevice but with an interruption in the circuit between the selected pairof receptacles, and means including interconnections betweencorrespondingly identified receptacles on the several blocks and a loosejumper with plug ends for interconnecting the corresponding pair ofreceptacles on a block other than that to which one of said pair ofleads is plugged for bridging the interruption between the pair ofreceptacles to which the last mentioned pair of leads is connected.

3. In a plural player game of the type set forth, the combination of aplurality of coder blocks, one for each player, each coder blockcomprising an equal number of plug receptacles with identifying indiciatherefor and two flexible leads with plugs thereon adapted to be pluggedinto any selected pair of receptacles on the corresponding coder block,a signaling subcircuit comprising an electrical signaling device with apair of input terminals and a source of current having a pair of outputterminals, one of the latter being connected to an input terminal of thesignaling device, the remaining terminals on the signaling device andsource constituting free terminals for the subcircuit, means forconnecting one of said flexible leads in each pair to one of the freeterminals of said signaling subcircuit through a normally open pushbutton switch, means for connecting the other flexible lead in each pairto the other free terminal of said signaling subcircuit, whereby theplugging of a pair of said leads into any selected pair of receptacleson its corresponding coder block serves to preliminarily connect saidfree terminals of the signaling subcircuit together through said pushbutton switch but with an interruption between the selected pair ofreceptacles, leads interconnecting the receptacles of the several coderblocks which are identified by like indicia, and a loose jumper withplug ends for each coder block, the plugging of one of said jumper-7sinto the pair of receptacles on another coder block corresponding tothe'pair to which one of said pairs of flexible leads has been connectedserving to complete a connection between the last mentioned receptacles,

ROBERT R. 'MACKINNON.

